The Chinese Sturgeon is one of the 27 species of sturgeon, a comparatively inferior fish belonging to transitional species. Having existed for nearly 140 million years, the sturgeon serves as a 'Living Fossil' for the study of evolution of earth. There are 8 sturgeon species living in China, among which the Chinese Sturgeon is found in the Yangtze River.
The Chinese Sturgeon is a large freshwater fish. An adult Chinese Sturgeon can become 4 meters (about 13 feet) long and weighs almost 500 kilogram (about 1,100 lbs). Its skeleton is made up of cartilage with five ranges of amour-like scales covering the overall body. Its spawning habitat is usually in turbulent fast waters. Thus, every summer and autumn, hordes of Chinese Sturgeons go against the current for about 3,000 kilometers (about 1,864 miles) to spawn in the Jinsha River. Several months later, they bring their offspring back to the East China Sea.
The Chinese Sturgeon Museum is located in the Yiling District of Yichang City in Hubei Province. In the 1980s, the construction of the Gezhouba Water Control System blocked the way up to Jinsha River. Thus in 1982, the government set up a Chinese Sturgeon research center to rescue the unique species, achieving good results. Consequently, the Chinese Sturgeon Museum was opened to the public in 1998.
Covering an area of 20,000 square meters (5 acres), the museum is comprised of several halls exhibiting living Chinese Sturgeons as well as other sturgeon species, sturgeon samples, crocodiles, tropical fish and other aquatic animals. A plant for reproducing and breeding sturgeon will be displayed soon. It is a great place to visit to learn about the nature and behavior of the rare species.
Entrance Fee:
CNY 48 for adults;
CNY 24 for kids between 1.2 - 1.4 m;
free for kids under 1.2 m
Opening Hours: 09:00 - 17:00
Transportation:
A. Take Bus No. 100 or 101 at Yiling Square and get off at the Chinese Sturgeon Institution;
B. Take Bus No. 4 or the bus to Xiaoxita and get off at the Chinese Sturgeon Institution.
Other Famous Yichang Attraction: Gezhouba Water Control Project
